“spirtually and passionately alive”
Okay, getting life set up (as well as keeping up with the non-stop social life) in La Antigua Guatemala has left me with few spare moments. I’m still hoping to catch up on what I can remember from Barcelona as well as chronicle my adventures from the nearly 5 months I’ve already spent back in Central America (3 weeks in Honduras and 4 months in Guatemala). I can’t believe so much time has flown by! I wouldn’t be here still if it wasn’t to a bit of help from family… definitely a shout out to you all… LOVE YOU!
Anyway, while I still frantically try to find time to invest in my blog while writing for REVUE Magazine and AntiguaDailyPhoto.com as well as directing photography for a Guatemalan-based NGO… I figured I can at least start making a post a day with a photo and a brief quip (AntiguaDailyPhoto.com style). I’ve bought a portable internet modem so as long as there is a Tigo phone signal, I have internet service for my laptop. So here goes:
As we speak (or write), I’m sitting under a palm canopy at El Paredon Beach. It’s a remote little beach that’s a favorite among the local surfing culture. There’s even a little surfing school here. A fiery blood orange sun has just disappeared from the semi-cloudy horizon and dusk has settled. I’m making the local mosquitoes quite happy, offering a buffet of fresh Gringa blood. Slap, scratch, scratch… Slap!
Tagging along with acquaintances Giallo (Dutch-Guatemalan) and Gael (Isreali) was a last-minute decision I made after running into Giallo on the cobbled streets of La Antigua this morning. Michelle, an Aussie that room’s with me at Gloria’s house, and I were just strolling back home after having breakfast at Fernando’s Kaffee (some of the best coffee in town – and that’s huge for being in coffee abundant Guate – and awesome chocolate-covered cacao beans with chile. Great typical Guatemalan breakfast too). I started my day off with a rich cappuccino and split a crepe filled with eggs, tomato, local-style cheese, refried black beans and onion with Michelle. After running into Giallo, Michelle and I ducked into Antigua Outlet. A random little store in boutique-crazy Antigua. I think the store has a special connection for getting its hands on Target overstock or something. Today Michelle and I scored big when we each bought a big bottle of Este Lauder golden lotion for Q30 (less than $4). Normally, U.S. brand lotions are super expensive here, more expensive than the States. But this tiny “outlet” is a bit of a LAG (La Antigua Guatemala) secret stop for beauty products and random household products, nicknacks. I came out with Nivea toner and Lavender scented incense sticks along with my Este Lauder bargain.
On the ride to the beach with Giallo and Gael, I typed away for more upcoming posts on AntiguaDailyPhoto.com. On part of the drive, close to the shore, there’s a stretch of land that looks like a landscape out of Africa. I didn’t snap a pic… just took it in. First time I’ve seen that kind of landscape here in Guate. As soon as we arrived at the beach, I followed the boys into the water. They had the surf boards and I had me. I’ve been longing to surf for years. I’m hoping to slowly realize that dream as I work myself into the local surf culture. It was great getting used to the water and the waves today. I swam out to meet the boys at the start of the incoming sets a ways of shore. I watched from the water as they caught waves (and bit it a few times too… hehe.) The waves aren’t crazy big here but big enough to catch some rides. I feel that being out in the water was a great way to start learning more about surfing and how to better handle myself in the ocean.
Okay, it’s time for me to jet. The boys are probably setting up the tents we’ll be sleeping in as I’m hidden away here writing this post. I should go help… plus, dinner is calling!
Besos (kisses) from El Paredon!
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